TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
At the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, we’re driving change by making our event greener, cleaner, and more impactful. This year marks a major leap forward as we begin reporting under World Athletics and, for the first time, calculating our carbon footprint. These results from 2024 will serve as a critical benchmark, helping us reach our goal of Net Zero by 2030. To support this journey, we’re working with Clima to set yearly targets and implement reduction strategies. Together, we’ll work to minimise emissions where possible and explore offsetting strategies - working to balance the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere. To view our roadmap commitments, click here.
Sustainability is a critical theme for Marathons worldwide, as rising global temperatures and escalating extreme weather conditions are increasingly impacting the safety and feasibility of large-scale events. These challenges underscore the urgency of collective climate action. Our roadmap highlights our commitment to sustainability and the bold steps we're taking towards a brighter, more resilient future for our participants and the planet.
Looking ahead, we’re aiming even higher—our goal is to achieve Net Zero by 2030, becoming industry leaders and ensuring the TCS Sydney Marathon leaves a lasting, positive legacy for the planet.
Greener & Cleaner
Our mission is to engage a diverse and inclusive participant base while actively reducing our event’s carbon footprint and fostering local community involvement to enhance environmental sustainability. We aim to create a legacy event that welcomes people of all ages, cultures, and genders, delivering a socially and environmentally responsible experience that inspires all.
Sustainability at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
Waste management
In partnership with our waste management team at Clean Vibes, we've implemented 4 distinct waste streams at the event, along with bale bags and specialised recycling bins for paper cups & gel wrappers at all aid stations. This ensures proper waste separation and recycling, as well as keeping the course clean for all participants.
Sustainable finish line
Our finisher bottles are made from 100% PET recycled plastic, with 'Return and Earn' bins located in the recovery village for recycling of these bottles. Designated recycling stations for bibs and finisher bags are also set up in the recovery village.
Plastic-Free
We've transitioned from plastic to paper cups at drink stations and eliminated plastic in catering packaging to reduce single-use plastics.
Hydration
Water refill stations at the Start area and Recovery Village helps minimise the need for single-use plastics, making hydration both convenient and eco-friendly.
Eco-Friendly Transport
We provide free public transport for participants and volunteers. Through our partnerships with Porsche and Fonz, all-electric lead vehicles are used, helping to reduce our carbon footprint. New to 2024, spectators were encouraged to use e-bikes, with Lime Bike hubs placed strategically around the course for easy access.
Digital Transformation
By moving from print to digital event guides, we're reducing paper waste and lowering our overall environmental impact.
Plant a tree
Our ‘Plant a Tree‘ program offers each participant the opportunity to purchase a tree at the point of registration with ReForest Now - https://www.reforestnow.org.au/planttrees.
Generators
New for 2024, we introduced 6 x solar-powered generators at selected locations along the course, harnessing renewable energy to power the event sustainably.Charitable Contributions
For every bottle collected through the 'Return and Earn' scheme, $0.10 is donated to TriMob, a First Nations Community. Clothing left at the start line was collected by our volunteers and donated to local charities. We also support Shoes for Planet Earth by providing shoe collection boxes at the expo and recovery village, ensuring that your contributions help those in need while reducing waste.
Community Engagement
The TCS Sydney Marathon’s Local Business Program (CANNOT LINK TO OLD SITE) supports local businesses by providing opportunities to engage with the marathon community, boosting visibility and driving local economic growth.
TriMob Partnership
We're empowering First Nations communities by increasing their participation in endurance sports, enhancing wellbeing, and fostering a healthier, more connected society - JOIN THE MOB — TriMob
Run Clubs
The TCS Sydney Marathon Run Clubs are central to our community engagement efforts, providing an inclusive space for runners of all levels. These monthly gatherings foster physical and emotional well-being, build connections, and help participants prepare for race day. To continue this legacy, three organised plogging runs (combining running with rubbish collection) were carried out across the week post event - supporting a cleaner environment.
Access & Inclusion
Committed to inclusivity, the TCS Sydney Marathon offers a range of Access & Inclusion policies to ensure that everyone can participate. Our Duo Policy allows individuals with mobility impairments to race alongside a partner, while our Pregnancy and Postpartum policy provides options for deferrals. We connect low vision and blind athletes with guides through our Assisted Participant policy, and welcome wheelchair users across all distances, including race wheelchairs for elite athletes.
Volunteer Empowerment
Over 3,000 volunteers, many from diverse and underserved communities, are engaged in our event, helping to drive our sustainability efforts forward.
Charity Impact
So far, we've raised over $28.76 million for charity, further solidifying our commitment to making a positive social impact.
KEY 2024 SUSTAINABILITY WINS
-
82.93% of event day waste was diverted away from landfill. The course alone achieved a diversion rate of over 95%, with improved waste collection strategies like bale bags and gel wrapper bins at every aid station along the marathon course (6 x 240L bins of gel wrappers collected)
-
750 + gel packets collected from 3 organised plogging runs across post event week
-
43,869 eligible bottles collected through the return and earn scheme = $4,386.90 donated to TriMob
-
15,000 garments donated to Salvation Army
-
4 x all electric Porsche and 2 x Fonz bikes used in the lead vehicle fleet
-
18.62% of event electricity sourced from renewables, including 6 x solar powered generators replacing diesel generators across entertainment sites
-
Public transport provided for all participants and volunteers
-
Engaged Lime Bike to provide eBike transportation options for spectators on marathon day - zero carbon emission mode of transport
-
1000 trees planted through ReForest Now, nearly 2 x above 2023 results
-
2,300 finisher bags donated to Food Bank Australia
-
Water refill stations at the start venue and throughout the RBG for runners to fill up water bottles
-
Dedicated recycling finisher bag and bib bins within the RBG
-
Carbon footprint calculated, providing us with benchmark data to set realistic targets towards reaching our goal of net zero by 2030
-
Our sustainability journey is more than a set of initiatives; it’s a collective effort that involves everyone—participants, volunteers, spectators, partners, and stakeholders. By making small changes, everyone can play a big part in this journey. We aim to promote awareness and education, empowering our community to become champions of sustainability through pro-environmental behaviour.
As part of this commitment, In 2024 we launched the TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge in partnership with the NSW Department of Education, encouraging school-aged students to develop creative sustainability solutions for the marathon. Additionally, the TCS Sustainathon provides a platform for youth to collaborate with private companies, non-profits, and government agencies to tackle real-world sustainability challenges using technology.
These initiatives are just the beginning. We are constantly evolving, looking ahead, and planning for the future.
Together, we can make the TCS Sydney Marathon not just a race, but a movement toward a more sustainable future.
So, as a participant, what can you do to make a positive impact? Follow these simple five steps to get started…
Plan your trip!
Plan your journey using public transport. All participants receive free public transport on race day as part of our partnership with Transport for NSW. Real-time traffic updates and trip planning are available on the Transport for NSW website under ‘Plan your trip.’
Don't be a Tosser!
Dispose of your cups in bale bags and gel packets in the designated bins provided, placed after every aid station. Bringing your own gels? Help keep the course clean by holding onto your used gel packets until you reach a bin.
Recycle!
Designated bins for recycling your bibs and finisher bags are provided in the recovery village, as well as return and earn bins for recycling your 100% PET recycled plastic finisher bottles. Unsure of what goes where? Look out for our "waste warriors" who will guide you to the correct disposal points.
Charity Support
Consider bringing extra layers to the start line that you can leave behind. These items will be collected and donated to local charities, and you can also drop off any unwanted shoes in the collection boxes to support Shoes for Planet Earth. Didn't plant a tree at registration, Plant one now by clicking here!
Stay hydrated!
Pack a reusable water bottle in your race bag for the bag drop. There will be water refill stations available throughout the recovery village, minimising the need for single-use plastics, and ensuring you stay hydrated after the race.
This is just the beginning, and we invite you to stay tuned as we continue to refine our strategies and introduce new initiatives. Together, we can make a significant impact! Together, we grow. When we win today, Sydney wins on race day—and our planet wins every day!
